Nail patch and method of application



United States Patent 3,425,426 NAIL PATCH AND METHOD OF APPLICATIONFrederic P. Welanetz, 13055 Moorpark St., Apt. 4, North Hollywood,Calif. 91604 No Drawing. Filed Sept. 16, 1965, Ser. No. 487,893 U.S. Cl.132-73 12 Claims Int. Cl. A45d 29/00 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Nailrepair is provided for by a patch material of very shear thicknessfabric impregnated with a binding solution i.e. cellulose nitrate whichis solvent activatable to adhere the nail patch material to the nail.

This invention relates to improvements in human nail coverings and tomethods for their application to a nail surface for any desired purpose,although especially as patches on split or broken nails.

Heretofore, various expedients have been proposed or employed for nailcovering or patching, most of which have left much to be desired becauseof such limitations as undesirable bulk, thickness, lack of strength andconspicuousness of the patch, as well as the necessity for troublesomeapplication of adhesive to secure the patch to the nail. Prior patchesalso have presented problems in attempting to fully conceal them evenbeneath polish coatings.

The invention has for its general object to provide for nail covering orpatching in a manner permitting use of virtually film thickness ofconcealable exceptionally strong material fully conformable to the nail,and by simple solvent application to the exposed surface of the materialto adhere it to the nail surface.

Generally, the invention contemplates a patch material of a very sheerthickness fabric impregnated with nitrocellulose or cellulose nitratewhich preferably is clear so that the material not only is substantiallycoloress, but also transparent. Thus the combined properties of thinnessand transparency afford maximum inconspicuousness to the applied patchas such, and virtually complete concealability beneath colored nailpolish or the like.

Of particular importance are the qualities and properties of the fabricemployed, that contribute to giving the patch exceptional strength,thinness and transparency. I have used successfully a very sheer wovensilk identifiable according to trade nomenclature 2 A Monme woven tohave cross threads (warp and woof) respectively at about 200 and 150threads per inch. This fabric has transparent thinness, exceptionalstrength and good flexibility, and it is also penetrable for cellulosenitrate impregnation and by solvent for dissolution of the cellulosenitrate.

In preparation, the fabric is uniformly impregnated with a clear (e.g.acetone or other known nitrocellulose solvent) solution of cellulosenitrate, as by passing the fabric over a roll coated with the solution,and allowing the solvent to evaporate, leaving the impregnated fabricdry, clear and transparent. The prepared material may be packaged in anysuitable manner, in the form of sheets from which patches may be cut.

For application of the material to a nail surface, it is only necessaryto apply a patch size piece of the material to the nail area to becovered, tucking the material under the end of a split or broken nail,and to apply a cellulose nitrate solvent such as acetone or acetone basesolvent, or the usual nail cleaner solvent, to the outside of theapplied patch, and pressing the latter to the nail. A small amount ofthe solvent in penetrating the patch fabric, dissolves at leastsufficient of the cellulose nitrate to bond the fabric securely andsmoothly to the nail surface and edge. Following drying, the patch andnail may be shaped as desired.

The resulting patch, by reason of its transparency, shows the naturalnail color and therefore has little visability, and as previouslyindicated, the patch has complete concealability beneath coatings suchas nail polish. The applied patch will continue its adherence to andsupport of the nail for such period of time as may be required for thenail correction. At any time the patch may be removed by applicationthereto of acetone or other cellulose nitrate solvent.

I claim:

1. A human nail patch material comprising sheer woven fabric impregnatedwith cellulose nitrate and being adherable to a nail surface bysolvation of said cellulose nitrate by a cellulose nitrate solventapplied to the exposed surface of the material when engaged with thenail.

2. Material according to claim 1, in which said fabric is transparent.

3. Material according to claim 1, in which the impregnated material istransparent.

4. Material according to claim 3, in which the impregnated material isessentially colorless.

5. Material according to claim 1, in which said fabric is silk.

6. Material according to claim 5, in which said fabric is about 2% Monmesilk.

7. Material according to claim 1, in which said fabric has cross threadcounts respectively in the order of about 200 and per square inch.

8. Material according to claim 7, in which the fabric is silk.

9. The method that includes applying to a human nail surface a sheerwoven fabric impregnated with a cellulose nitrate, and applying to theexposed surface of the fabric a cellulose nitrate solvent whichpenetrates the fabric and causes said cellulose nitrate to bond thefabric to the nail surface.

10. The method that includes applying to a human nail surface a sheertransparent and essentially colorless woven fabric impregnated withcellulose nitrate, and applying to the exposed surface of the fabric acellulose nitrate solvent which penetrates the fabric and causescellulose nitrate bondage of the fabric to the nail surface.

11. The method that includes applying to a human nail surface a sheertransparent and essentially colorless woven fabric impregnated withcellulose nitrate, and applying to the exposed surface of the fabric acellulose nitrate solvent which penetrates the fabric and causescelulose nitrate bondage of the fabric to the nail surface, and applyingcolored nail polish to the bonded fabric.

12. The method that includes applying to a human nail surface a sheertransparent and essentially colorless woven transparent silk fabricimpregnated with cellulose nitrate, and applying to the exposed surfaceof the fabric cellulose nitrate solvent which penetrates the fabric andcauses cellulose nitrate bondage of the fabric to the nail surface, andapplying colored nail polish to the bonded fabric.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,449,070 9/ 1948 Hauser.2,864,384 12/1958 Walter 13273 2,979,061 4/ 1961 Greenman et a1. 13273LOUIS C. MAN CENE, Primary Examiner.

GREGORY E. McNEIL, Assistant Examiner.

